Comparison

Brain Code vs Cracking the Cryptic

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Brain Code

Engage your mind with over 50 unique logic puzzles that test your problem-solving and creative thinking. This offline game offers an immersive, command-line inspired interface and a progressive difficulty curve. It's perfect for puzzle enthusiasts and anyone looking for a mental workout.

Highlights
  • 50 unique logic puzzles
  • Command-line inspired interface
  • Multiple solutions per puzzle
  • Progressive difficulty
  • Offline play
  • Built-in hint system
Features
Read full description

CHALLENGE YOUR MIND WITH BRAIN CODE No coding skills needed! Master 50 unique brain-teasing puzzles that test your logic, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Join 5,000,000+ players discovering the mysteries in this innovative offline puzzle game. UNIQUE GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE - Command-line inspired interface creates an immersive experience - Each puzzle has multiple solutions hidden in unexpected places - Progressive difficulty keeps you challenged - Perfect blend of logic puzzles, riddles, and brain teasers - Clean, minimalist design for focused solving KEY FEATURES - 50 meticulously crafted puzzles - Built-in hint system - Play offline - perfect for commutes - Progress tracking and rewards - Regular content updates - Active community support TRAIN YOUR BRAIN - Enhance logical thinking and problem-solving - Improve pattern recognition - Boost creative thinking - Exercise memory and attention - Practice analytical reasoning - Challenge your IQ with increasing complexity PERFECT FOR - Puzzle enthusiasts seeking fresh challenges - Brain training and mental exercise - Logic puzzle and riddle lovers - Players who enjoy discovering hidden clues - Anyone looking for offline entertainment - All ages and skill levels SUPPORT Questions or need help? Contact us at contact.kkapps@gmail.com Join our community to share solutions and discover new strategies! Note: While no coding knowledge is required, Brain Code uses a command-line style interface for an immersive experience. Tech info: STOP 0x000LVL09 REASON "I like this game"

About

Cracking the Cryptic

This app offers a curated collection of handcrafted Sudoku puzzles from world-renowned constructors. Explore classic and unique variants, with new puzzle packs released regularly. A free introductory pack is included with download.

Highlights
  • Handcrafted Sudoku puzzles
  • Curated by expert constructors
  • Classic and unique variants
  • Regularly released puzzle packs
  • Free introductory puzzle pack
Features
Read full description

OUR NEWEST PACK – CLASSIC VOLUME #2! Classic sudoku is where it all began, and there is still lots of skill to be deployed to solve classic puzzles, and new techniques to be explored. Nikoli, the Japanese puzzle house, named and popularised sudoku from 1984, and we have commissioned 20 puzzles from them for this Classic Sudoku 2 app. We have also created 20 ourselves, and sourced 20 more from Sam Cappleman-Lynes, the brilliant British sudoku expert. The result is a wonderful 60-puzzle pack which will delight and challenge you. -------------------- Welcome to the brand new Sudoku app from the most popular Sudoku channel, Cracking The Cryptic. Unlike other Sudoku apps, we feature handcrafted and curated puzzles from the world’s best Sudoku constructors. Each collection features puzzles made by various authors that are now familiar names to those who follow the channel. Authors like Phistomefel, Clover, Sam Cappleman-Lynes, Christoph Seeliger, Richard Stolk, jovi_al, Qodec, Prasanna Seshadri and of course, Simon and Mark! Downloading Cracking the Cryptic will give you access to our first free collection – a variety pack by Prasanna Seshadri featuring 7 puzzles inspired from our previous Sudoku apps; Sandwich, Classic, Chess, Thermo, Miracle, Killer and Arrow Sudoku. We also have purchasable packs designed for all skill levels and featuring many unique variants not seen previously. We’ll be releasing more free and paid packs in the future so keep an eye on the app for more Sudoku content from Cracking The Cryptic!

Screenshots

Brain Code4 screens
Cracking the Cryptic4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Cracking the Cryptic at none against Brain Code's shown. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Brain Code's advantage is ratings volume (1K vs 208). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Brain Code sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Brain Code holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Brain Code has 1K ratings behind it against 208, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Brain Code's written reviews are positive against 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Brain Code ships an update monthly, Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Brain Code versus Cracking the Cryptic: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrain CodeCracking the Cryptic
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1K ratings) — better4.4 (208 ratings)
Positive reviews76.8% of reviews — better72.1% of reviews
Number of ratings1K — better208
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB234 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKyrylo KartukovNick Carney

Customer experience

Brain Code

All ratings1,046 ratings
Positive88.6%
Neutral4.1%
Negative7.3%
Written reviews449 reviews
Positive76.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative12.0%

Cracking the Cryptic

All ratings208 ratings
Positive84.1%
Neutral6.3%
Negative9.6%
Written reviews147 reviews
Positive72.1%
Neutral13.6%
Negative14.3%

User reviews

Brain Code

From 1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Challenging and creative puzzles
  • 👍 Unique coding-based gameplay
  • 🧠 Requires out-of-the-box thinking
  • 🎨 Clean and minimalistic design
  • 💡 Innovative concept

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Bugs with ads and level progression
  • 🤔 Some puzzles require too much external knowledge
  • 🤯 Extremely difficult at times
  • 🔍 Lack of in-game guidance or hints

Cracking the Cryptic

From 208 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Best sudoku app
  • 👍 Great variety of puzzles
  • 👍 Excellent user interface
  • 👍 Challenging and fun puzzles
  • 👍 Constant updates with new puzzles

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Hints are often incorrect or unhelpful
  • 🐛 Bugs and crashes, especially after updates
  • 🔋 Battery draining issues
  • 🔒 Too many in-app purchases required to access content

Bugs and requests

Brain Code

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to close ads
  • Level 24 equation puzzle not accepting correct answer
  • Level 39 unbeatable on iPhones without back button
  • Level 20 bug preventing progress

Requested features

4 requests
  • More levels and content updates
  • Improved ad experience
  • Walkthrough or solution guide
  • Keyboard support improvements

Cracking the Cryptic

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Puzzle progress and purchases disappearing after updates
  • Incorrect rules or hints in certain puzzles
  • Crashes and freezes, especially on older devices or Macs
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between portrait and landscape modes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more color options for pencil marking and highlighting
  • Implement a way to clear progress or start puzzles from scratch
  • Integrate all CTC apps into a single app for better organization
  • Add keyboard support, especially on Mac
  • Improve the quality and clarity of hints

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Brain Code

One-time6
  • pinch of tips$0.99
  • handful of tips$1.99
  • Platinum Pass$1.99
Show 3 more
  • 2x handful of tips$2.99
  • tip fan$4.99
  • tip master$6.99
13 purchases

Cracking the Cryptic

One-time13
  • CTC Worms - James Sinclair$0.99
  • CTC Worms - Marty Sears$0.99
  • CTC Worms - Zetamath$1.99
Show 10 more
  • CTC Worms - Blobz$1.99
  • CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz$1.99
  • CTC Worms - Phistomefel$1.99
  • GAS Volume #1$2.99
  • GAS Volume #2$2.99
  • CTC Approachable Sudoku #1$2.99
  • Domino Sudoku Pack$4.99
  • Lines Variety Pack$4.99
  • Classic Volume #2$4.99
  • CTC Fog Pack #1$4.99

Questions

Is Brain Code free?
Brain Code is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cracking the Cryptic free?
Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Brain Code or Cracking the Cryptic?
Brain Code is rated higher. Brain Code averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 208 ratings.
Do Brain Code or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?
Brain Code shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.
Which is updated more often, Brain Code or Cracking the Cryptic?
Brain Code ships an update monthly, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Brain Code was updated on September 24, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on September 21, 2026.

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